Loading or piling machine



(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. s. KAIME.-

LOADING QR PILING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 5, 1893.

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5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. S. KAIME. LOADING 0R PILING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. 5, 1893.,

l(No Model.)

i 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.y G. S. KAIME.

LOADING 0N FILING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 5, 1893.

5 sheetsL-sheet 4.

(Hommel.) A l G. S. KAME. LOADING 0R PILING MACHINE. I N0. 504,589. Patented Sept.`5, 1893.

l Q o A. .16101 2 f 00.0.

No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 5.

G. S. KAIME. LOADING 0R FILING MAUHINB. No. 504,589. Patente@ Sept lHlllI-IIIIM UNITED STATES PATENT UEETCE.

GEORGE S. KAIME, OF NECEDAH, VISCONSIN LOADING 0R PlLiNG MACHiNE.

SPECEFIC'ATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 504,589, dated September 5, 1893.

Application filed December 8. 1892. Serial No. 454,474. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE S. Kamin, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Necedah, in the county of Juneau and State of lfiisconsin, have invented a certainnew and useful Improvement in Loading or Filing Machines, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

lily machine was especially designed for use in loading or piling logs; but it is equally applicable, for loading and piling all kinds of timber, such as piling or telegraph poles, and other long pieces 0f heavy material, such as railway-rails, I-beams, and other pieces of structural iron.

ln carrying out the invention, I employ a suitable supporting frame or platform, which is preferably made portable, in the form of a car, wagon or sled; a turn-table mounted on the said supporting frame or platform; adjustable skids on the turn-table, provided with pivoted extensions, which fold inward over the table skids; traveling chains or other suitable carrying mechanism supported andv guided by the said skids; a hoisting device on the turn-table, for effecting the angular adjustment of the skids; independent driving connections on the turn-table, for operating the traveling chains and the hoisting device respectively, and a pair of reversible independent shafts, or other forms of driving mechanism ou the platform,running at equal speeds applicable to the driving .connections on the turn-table in either of two eXtreme positions of said table.

Other minor features of the invention will appear in the detailed description.

The features of novelty, which l claim as my invention will more fully hereinafter appear, and will be defined in the claims.

My machine is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a rear'end elevation, with some parts broken away, showing the machine as applied for loading cars. Fig. 2 is a plan viewr of the machine, the driving engine not being shown. Fig. 3 is a right side elevation, directions being taken, with reference to an observer, facing Fig. l. Fig. Ll is a rear elevation of a part of the machine showing the pivotcd or extension skids, at the delivery end of the turn-table. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail, showing the worm and Worm-gear for operating the skidl'ioisting device. Fig. 7 is a detail, showinga clamping block used to secure the extension skids to the sprocket-shaft of the skids on the turn-table. Fig. 8 is a plan view, showing modification of the driving shafts and their connections, on the platform and turn-table, some parts being broken away, and the parts above the floor of the turn-table removed. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line X X of Fig.. 8. Fig: l0 is a plan View of a part of the turn-table detached; and Fig. ll is a detail in bottom plan, showing a part of the turn-table-rack.

The supporting frame or platform a, is shown as in the form of a car-body, with its truck-wheels a running on track-rails a2.

The turn-table b is located at one end of the platform a, and is pivotaliy connected thereto, in any suitable way. The means which l'have shown for the purpose, are a bearing socket b', embedded in the platform, a hollow screw-threaded pintle-head b2, fixed to the turn-table and a screw-threaded center or pivot-pin b3, working through the pintle head as a nut, and capable of bearing against the lower end of the socket, to raise the turntable clear of the platform, when it is desired to turn, the same. 'The center or pivot-piu b3 has a head of angular form, for the application of a wrench.

o are the pair of adjustable skids on the turn-table and overreaching the same, which are connected at their opposite ends,by crossshafts c. The said skids c, at their receiving ends, rest with freedom for a sliding motion, on bearing-blocks h4, secured to the turntable; and are held from raising away from the blocks, by hanger-arms c2 having rollers c3, which engage under retaining guides b5 secured to the blocks E24. The cross shafts c' are provided with sprockets c4, seated between cut away portions of the skids, for holding and operating a pair of traveling chains d.

c5 are a pair of pivoted skids pivoted to the lower cross-shafts c', and provided with traveling chains d', operated by sprockets @5i-f, on the lower cross shaft c and by idle sprockets c6,

ICO

seated between the lowerends of the said skids. The pair of skids c5 form what might be called the ground members or receiving end eXtensions and are provided at their-lower ends with combined bearing and guard pieces c6.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 7, c'I is a pairY of skids applicable by means of removable clamping blocks cs, to the upper cross shaft c', and provided with traveling chains d2, which are driven, when the said skids are in use, by sprockets o9, seated between cut away parts of said skids on the said upper end shaft c', and guided by idle sprockets 010 on the outer ends of said skids. lVhen the skids c7 are applied to the shaft c', they have a pivotal bearing thereon and form upper end eX- tensions to the same. At their outer ends, the skids c7 are provided with combined bearings and guards c1"M for resting on the pile of logs, or other suitable temporary support. The sprockets C9 are carried permanently on the shaft c; but the skids c7 are in the nature of a supplemental attachment, which are only applied, when required. The connecting ends of the said skids cT and the removable clamping block es, are formed with half bearings, and the parts are held together and to the shaft c by bolts and nuts cu. All the traveling chains d d dzare provided with pivoted carrying fingers d4, which are spaced apart from each other on the chains uniform distances, equal to the circu mferences of their driving sprockets. The pivoted carrying fingers d* are formed withrearwardly extended tail-pieces or bearing bases, which rest on several links of the chain, when inV their carryingposition,therebydistributing the strain from the logs over a wide surface and preventing the buckling of the chain. The sprocket-bearing, chain-driving shafts c', carry at their opposite ends revolving arms cl2, which assist to receive and discharge the logs, or other materials, from the turn-table skids. The fact that the'carrying fingers h4 are spaced apart on the chains, at distances equal to the circumferences of the driving sprockets c4, the., cause the arms cl2, when properly spaced on the shafts c', to come into action at the proper times, relative vto the movement of the chains to do their work.

All the traveling chains are driven from a shaftf, located on the turn-table through the following connections, to wit:-a pair of sprockets f on the shaft f, corresponding chainsf2 running to a counter-shaft f3, engaging with sprockets f4 fixed thereon; a pair of chains f5, ruiming over sprockets fl on the counter-shaft f3, and thence to inside sprockets f7 on idle shafts f8, journaled in the turn-table skids c, and provided on their outer ends with sprocketsff; and chains flo, passing over the sprocketsfg, and over sprockets f located on the outer ends of the upper cross-shafts c. Motion is imparted to the chain-driving shaftf, by means which will be hereinafter described.

Referring now to the means for adjusting the skids c on the turn-table, the skids are `connected to the delivery end of the vturn-talby projecting guide plates g4, fixed Vto the turn-table or standards g3. The hoisting is effected from a. shaft h, located on the turntable, parallel with the chain-driving-shaftf, the two shafts f and h being at equal distances on opposite sides of a common center,

to-wit: from the center pin of the turn-table. The hoisting shaft h has a bevel pinion 7L', engaging a bevel gear h2, on a short shaft h3; which, in turn, is provided with a pinion h'engaging a gear h5 on a wormshaft h6. The worm on the shaft h6, engages a worm-gear 7L?, on a drum or windlass shaft 71.3,' having drums or spools h", at its opposite ends, with chains IL10, extending therefrom over guide-rollers g5 and connected to the lower end of the pivoted frame g2. The entire nest of gearing, applied to operate the drum-shaft hs, is mounted in suitable bearings on a common bed-plate gG.

lt isobvious,thatif thedrum-shaft beturued in one direction, the skids will be raised; and if turned in the other direction, the skidswill be lowered. The worm and worm-gear will hold the saine, in whatever position they may be set. `When the 'skids c, are thus raised or lowered, by the hoisting device, in virtue of the pivoted arms g, and the sliding connections c2 cS b5 with the turn-table, at their receiving ends, they will also have a sliding motion, which will compensate for their pivotal move; ment, so that the deliveryends ofthe skids will rise or fall in acommon vertical plane. This is desirable, in order that the delivery from the skids may bein a common plane, at the center of the car or a pile of logs.

rlhe turn-table b, is made oblong of a length greater than the width of the supporting platform a, and of a width not greater than the width of the platform. The adjustable skids c, are also oblong, of a width not greater than that ofthe platform, and may be of a length greater than the length of the turn-table, so as to overreach the same when in use and project therefrom at the delivery end. The ground skids c5 and the upper end extension skids c", are also oblong and of a width not greater than the width of the platform a; and both sets will turn or fold inward on their pivotal bearings, so as to overlie the turntable skids. By this construction and arrangement of the turn-table and the skids, the skids may be made of any desired length required for overreaching the platform without rendering the angle or incline too great IOO ICS

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bringing the turn-table and skids in line with the supporting platform or car lengthwise; and when in this position, the turn-table and Aall the loading mechanism will be Wholly Within the side lines of the car platform. ln height, the adjustable skids c, when at their greatest elevation will pass, Wherever a box car will pass; but the same may be lowered, if desired, after being brought into line with the car platform, by swinging outward the pivoted frame g2. ln this way, all the skids may be made to lie nearly flat on the turntable. The machine has therefore both the side and top clearance needed for free movement over a railway, Wherever an ordinary car can go.

All the mechanisincarried by the turn-table has now been specified; but before leaving the same, it should be noted that the chain driving shaft f and the hoisting-shaft 7L, Which for convenience of reference, may be called the turn-table shafts, are exactly alike at both ends, being formed for interchangeable connection with a corresponding pair of driving shafts located on the platform.

Referring nov;Y tothe drivingmechanism on the platform, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, 7e indicates the position, which would be occupied by a suitable driving engine, not shown. 7c represents part of the driving belt from Ithe engine to a power-shaft 7a2, arranged cross- Wise of the platform in suitable bearings secured thereto. 7c3 represent tivo pairs of bevel pinions, each pair of which are formed on the opposite ends of a common sleeve or extended hub, Whichis mounted toturn with the powershaft 7a2, but is free to slide thereon. The bevel pinions 7a3 may be shifted and held in any one of th ree positions, by ordinary springpawl shifting levers 7e, the pawls of which engage With fixed lock-plates h5. 7e is a pair of bevel gears, co-operating one With each of the pairs of bevel pinions 7a3, and carried on the longitudinally fixed sections 707, of What l call the reversible driving shafts. 7s@ are pivoted sections, connected to the sections 7J, by knuckle-joints 7i?, or in any other suitable Way, and having their outer ends rectangular in cross section, 7t'10 are sliding or coupling sections, which are formed hollow and of rectangulaiform in cross section at each end. rThe coupling sections 7011" telescope on the outer ends of the pivotcd sections 7,;8, and may be secured thereto, in any desired position, by set-screws 7t11. The outer ends of the sliding or coupling section 7cm, are adapted to engage With the ends of the turn-table shafts f and 7l, which are of corresponding shape, and thereby connect the same to the reversible driving shafts. As before stated, the turntable shaftsf and 7L, may thus be coupled to the reversible driving shafts on the platform, at

other.

either end. The bevel pinions 7e3 on the power shaft 7a2, and the bevel gears Hare of the 'same relative sizes; so that the reversible driving shafts on the platfor1n,both run at the same speeds. Hence, it is a matter of indifference, as to which particular member of the driving shafts on the platform is connected with either of the shafts,for h, on the turn table. rlhis'arrangement is necessary, in view of the fact, that, when the turntable is shifted from one extreme position to the other, the turntable shafts will be shift-ed, in respect to their coupling, so as to interchange with the correspending driving shafts on the platform. The

sliding or coupling sections 7;,111 are connected by a common cross-tree or bar 7512, to which the cable or rope member 7.313 of a windlass or hoisting device is attached, the drum member 7t1'1of which is mounted on a standard 7e15 and provided with a hand-crank 7t16. The crank 7516 is provided With a spring-pawl 7517, which engages with a fixed locking plate 7de, to hold the crank and drum in yvhatever position it may be set. With this hoisting device 71:13 and k1* and L16, the slidingsections R10, together with the pivoted sections ks, when the former have been unconpled from the turntable shafts, may be raised upward outof the roadJ so as to give the necessary clearance for the rotation of the turn-table and the mechanism carried thereby.

The machine is represented as in use for loading logs L, onto a carp, standing on the main line or a switch track 1J". The ground skids c5, are shown as resting on a chuck log q.

Referring noiv to the modification shown in Figs. 8, 9, l0 and ll, pairs of friction beveled Wheels fr, are substituted for the beveled pinions 7a3, on the power-shaft 7a2," and corresponding relatively large beveled friction wheels fr are carried on shaft-sections r2, on the top of the platform a, which (3o-operate with the small friction Wheels fr. The shaft sections r2, have spur-gears r3, which engage with spur-gears rrton shaft-sections yrf, located under the platform a. The platform is cut away to permit the engagement of the gears r3 and frt. The shaft-sections f5 extend under the turn-table b, and are provided with spur gears r, Which are odset, With respect to each other, or located at different distances from the center of the turn table. rlhe turntable shaftsf and 7i, instead of having rectangular ends, for engaging with the sliding couplings 71:10, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, are provided with spur-gears rl, at theiroppovsite ends; and the said shafts, though of equal length, are so arranged on the turntable b, that the said gears T7, on the opposite ends of the said shafts are oifset from each The turn-table and the platform are cut away to permit the engagement of the gears r and fr?. The offset relation of the gearsfff, on the respective shafts fand 7i, permit. the same to interchangeablyengage with the gears fr on the shaft sections T5, in either l'ZO ' given a half turn.

of the two extreme positions of the turntable. One of the-shaft-sections rf is also provided with a sliding orshiftable pinion fre, adapted to be thrown into and out of engagement with the annular gear fr, fixed to the under side of the turn-table, for swinging or turning the table by power, whenever so desired. The platform is cut away or recessed, to form a seat for the gear r9, and is entirely cut away to give room for the engagement and sliding movement of the shiftable pinion r3. The pinion rs will be shifted by an ordinary shipper fork or other shift-ing lever (not shown) of any suitable construction. lt is of course obvious, that either the pinion frs or the gear r9, must have teeth cut askew. As shown, the gear ri has teeth of Ythis kind, as illustrated in Fig. l1.

The driving mechanism shown in Figs. S, 9, l0 and il, is in several respects superior to the driving mechanism shown in the other views. All necessity, for pivoted shaft sec- Jrions or sliding couplings, is obviated, inasmuch as the gears rr7 and vrwill come directly into engagement, whenever the turn-table is frs on one of the shaft-.sections fr, is of course a convenience for rotating the turn-table, as thisrequiresoonsiderable power. Gtherwise, than in the respects noted,this driving mechanism would operateou -the loading mechanism,fin exactly the same way as the construction shown in the other views.

Operation: lt is contemplated that, when using the machine for loading cars, a side track will generally be available for the inachine. lf not a temporary track will be laid for the purpose. The car to be loaded will stand on the main or other adjacent side track, as shown in Fig. l. The logs will be rolled on to the ground skids, sidewise from a pile, sleds or wagons, and will be carried up bythe traveling chains and delivered sidewise over the upper ends of the turn-table skids to workmen located on the car. Whenever necessary, the delivery ends of the turntable skids will be raised, by throwing into action the hoisting device on the turntable. lVhen one car is loaded, the pile of logs thereon will be bound together and tothe car, in the customary or any suitable way, and another car be brought into loading position;A and so on until the entire train is loaded. lf it is desired to move the machine, the end skids are turned inward over the turn-table skids, the frame q2 is raised upward to :its limit, and the turn-table is given a quarter or three-quarters turn, bringing the turn-table and skids into line lengthwise, with ther platform, and affording all necessary clearance. If it is desired to load from the other side of the track, without reversing the platform or supporting car, the turn-table l.may be given a half turn. To do this, the turn-table is first raised onto the center-pin b3, by applying a wrench thereto. If the construction shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, be used, itwill also be neces- The gear Wand the pinion sary .to shift the sliding couplings Z010 and raise the pivoted shaft section kg out of the way, and then turn the table by hand. But, if the construction shown in Figs. 8, 9,10 and ll, be employed, the shifting pinion rs is simply thrown into engagement with the annular gear fr9 and the table is turned by powerA from the engine. TWhen in use for loading, as shown in Fig. l, the particular member of the driving shafts on the platform, then in use for operating the traveling chains, will be in contiuous action. The other member of the driving shafts on the platform, then connected up to the hoisting shaft 7L on the turntable, will be normally idle and run at the will of the operator, whenever necessary to raise the delivery end of the skids c, as required by the height of the load or pile of logs. This adjustment of the skids c to the heights required doesnot interfere with the continuous action of the travelingchains d d d2. Then it is desired to stop `both of the driving shafts on the platform, together with all the mechanism on the turn-table, the same may be done without stopping the engine, if so desired, by sim ply shifting the pairs of pinions 7a3 or pairs of friction wheels o' into their central or idle positions. vWhen using the 'machine to load cars, as shown in Fig. l, it would seldom be necessary to employ the upper end extensions c7; but when using the machine to stack or pile logs, or other similar materials on the ground, as shown in Fig. 4, the said upper end extensions or skids c7 with their traveling chains d2, would need to be employed, if the pile be run to any considerable height. course, it would be possible, to employ two or more sets of extension skids and chains, so as to conduct the logs or other materials to any desired distance from the machine. lt should be noted, that the location of the turntable at one end of the car or platform a, euables the loading mechanism to be applied centrally of comparatively long logs, timbers, rails, or other materials, without interference with the driving engine. The car platform a a', will generally be found the most convenient support for the machine; but in some roo IIC

cases, it might be supported in other ways, as

by wagon-trucks, sleds, a frame on rollers, or, by a stationary platform or frame.

It should be noted, that the word skids as used throughout' the specification and claims is intended to cover and include any and all kinds of supports or frames for upholding and guiding the traveling ehainsor other forms of carrying mechanism, which in co-operation with the chains or carrying mechanism will sustain and guide the logs or other materials to'be handled. For example, instead of being made of parallel pairs of pieces, they might be made of three or more parallel pieces; or they might be made of continuous decks of the requisite width. Likewise, instead o'f two parallel chains, three or more, or a continuous apron might be employed. lt is equally obvious that the connections from the driving shaftf, on the turn-table to the shafts c', which support and operate the traveling chains, might be varied at will. Likewise, the connections from the shaft h, on the turntable, to the Worin-shaft h, for operating the skid hoisting' device might be of any other suitable kind.

Many other changes 0r substitutions might be inade iii the minorfea-tures or details of the mechanism herein shown and described, Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It is obvious that the only limit to the speed of this machine lies in the number and ability of Workmen Who can supply to and take the logs from the saine. In its application for loading cars, a large item of economy lies in the increasedhaulage secured freni any given logging train.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

l. In'a machine of the class described, the combination with the supporting frame or platform and the turn-table thereon, of the carrying mechanism, the skids on said table, for supporting and guidingtlie carrying mechanism, said skids having their receiving ends secured to said table With freedom for a sliding movement thereon, and a hoisting device applied to the delivery ends of said skids, whereby under -the adj ustnient effected by said hoisting device, the delivery end of the skids Will rise, substantially in a straight line, thereby maintainingr the delivery, in the same vertical plane, substantially as described.

rl`he combination with a turn-table, of the adjustable skids, having their receiving ends connected to the turn-table, with freedoni for a sliding motion, the hoisting device on the turn-table, applied to the delivery ends of the skids, and the pivoted arms, rising from the delivery end of the turn-table, and connected to the said skids, intermediate the extremities of the saine, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the adjustable skids, With traveling chains, on the turn-table, of the hoisting device on the turn-table, applied-te the delivery end of the said skids, and consisting of a windlass and a Worin and ivornrgear, for operating said Windlass and holding the skids in whatever position the saine may be set, substantially as described.

i. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the skids and traveling chains, of the revolving discharge arms at the ends of the skids, substantially and for the purpose set forth,

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the adjustable skids and their traveling chains on the turn-table, of an eXtra pair of sprocket-Wheels en the upper end member of the chain driving shafts, and skids detachably pivoted to said upper ond shaft, and traveling chains, driven freirl said extra pair of sprocket Wheels, said skids i ed to effect an extension at the deliver of the turnetable skids, substantially as described.

(l. The coinbinatiou with 7the skids, of the traveling chains, and the sprockets for driv.-

ing the saine, the pivoted carrying fingers table spaced apa-rt at equal distances on opposite sides of a common center, drivable'from either end, by the said reversible driving shafts on the platform, whereby the speeds of the turn-table shafts may remain the Same, regardless of the particular member of the driving shafts, by Which the saine may be driven, substantially asidgescribed. l

8. The combination with the pair of reversible shafts en the platfoini,running at equal speeds, of the pair of turn-table shafts, the members of both sets of said shafts being spaced apart equal distances en opposite sides of a common central line, and driving devices carried by the platform shafts and applicable to either end of said turn-table shafts, Whereby the turn-table shafts'are interchangeably ccnnectible to either of said platform-shams, substantially as described.

9. The combination with the reversible driving shafts on the platform, having gears adjacent to the turn-table offset or staggered in respect to each other, of the shafts en the turntable having gears at both extremities offset or staggered with respect to each other, and interchangeably en gageable With the eifset gears on said driving shafts,substantially as and for the purpose set forth. y

l0.4 The machine for the purpose named, comprising a supporting car erother portable frame, the turntable on the car, the adjustable skids, with pivcted extensions, on the turn-table, the traveling chains With carrying lingers, guided and supported by said skids, the hoisting device on the turn-table applied te the delivery ends of the skids7 the pair of shafts on the turn-table, one having connections to said traveling chains, and the other., connections to said hoisting device, and the pair of reversible driving shafts on said car or portable frame, running at' equal speeds, and applicable to said turn-table shafts at either end, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

in testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tivo Witnesses.

GEORGE S. KIME.

'Witnessesi li. A. Ennesima., J. il. SPENCER. 

